🏆 Starting a Sports Club – A Step-by-Step Guide!
Thinking about starting your own sports club? That’s an amazing initiative! Even though Germany already has around 100,000 sports clubs, there are plenty of good reasons to establish a new one:
✅ Lack of local options – Your area may not offer enough clubs or certain sports. By founding a club, you create new opportunities for people to get active.
✅ Promoting a specific sport – If you're passionate about a less popular or underrepresented sport, a new club can help it gain more recognition.
✅ Building a strong community – Sports clubs bring people together, strengthen social bonds, and create lifelong friendships.
✅ Encouraging fitness and health – Regular training and competitions can motivate people to stay active and lead a healthier lifestyle.
✅ Talent development – A club can nurture young talent, providing them with structured training programs and competitive experience.
✅ Fulfilling personal goals – If you’ve always dreamed of running a club, this is your chance to turn your vision into reality!
📋 How to Start a Sports Club – The Key Steps
1️⃣ Hold a Founding Meeting
For an officially registered club (e.V.), at least seven people need to be present. For an unregistered club, three are enough.
During this meeting, you should:
✔️ Define the club’s goals
✔️ Elect a board of directors
✔️ Establish the club’s structure
✔️ Write a detailed meeting protocol
📝 Your protocol should include:
- Date and location of the meeting
- Names of founding members
- Confirmation that invitations were properly sent
- Approval of the club statutes (bylaws)
- Election results for the board members
- Decision to register the club at the local court
Each founding member must sign the document, as it will be needed for official registration.
2️⃣ Draft the Club's Statutes (Bylaws)
The statutes serve as your club’s "constitution" and should clearly outline:
🏅 Club name & headquarters
🎯 Purpose & objectives
📝 Membership rules & fees
📢 Voting rights & general meeting procedures
🏛 Board responsibilities
🚨 Dissolution procedures
💡 Tip: You can use a template from your local sports federation but should tailor it to fit your club’s needs.
3️⃣ Open a Club Bank Account 💳
To manage membership fees, sponsorships, and donations, a separate bank account is essential.
🔎 Things to consider when choosing a bank:
💰 Account fees & transaction costs
🏧 ATM access & online banking options
👥 Multiple authorized signers for transparency
4️⃣ Register the Club 🏛
Once the bylaws and founding protocol are ready, you can officially register your club at the local court.
📌 Documents needed for registration:
✅ The club statutes
✅ The founding protocol
✅ List of elected board members
With this step, your club becomes a "eingetragener Verein" (e.V.), giving it legal status and more credibility.
5️⃣ Register with the Tax Office 🏦
If your club serves non-profit purposes, you can apply for tax-exempt status. This allows:
💲 Acceptance of tax-deductible donations
🏟 Reduced rental fees for sports facilities
⚽ Possible government grants & funding
💡 Tip: Contact your local sports federation or legal advisor for guidance.
✅ Final Checklist: How to Start a Sports Club
✔️ Founding Meeting: At least 7 members, elect board, approve bylaws
✔️ Club Statutes: Define club name, goals, rules, and responsibilities
✔️ Founding Protocol: Record meeting minutes & sign by all members
✔️ Elect a Board: Assign president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary
✔️ Register the Club: Submit paperwork to the local court
✔️ Tax Office Registration: Apply for non-profit status (if applicable)
✔️ Open a Club Bank Account: Choose a bank with low fees & easy access
✔️ Recruit Members: Launch a membership program & online registration
✔️ Get Insurance: Ensure coverage for injuries & liability risks
🚀 Pro Tip: Use modern digital tools instead of paper-based systems for:
🏟 Facility & event management
📅 Training & match planning
💳 Membership payments
💰 How Much Does It Cost to Start a Sports Club?
While starting a club is not overly expensive, there are some fees to consider:
🔹 Notary & Court Fees
- €165 for notarization
- €50 - €70 for court registration
🔹 Bylaw Creation
- Free if self-written
- €100 - €500 if a lawyer is involved
🔹 Bank Account Fees
- Vary depending on the bank & services
🔹 Insurance Costs
- Depends on sport type & club size
🎯 Final Thoughts
Starting a sports club is an exciting project that requires careful planning and commitment. By following the steps above, you can establish a well-structured, legally recognized club that will benefit your community and future athletes.
🔥 With passion, teamwork, and proper organization, your club can become a thriving sports hub. 🚀
👉 Good luck with your new club! 🏆👏
